Currency Is Hard for a Dog to Understand

A foxhound is classified as a working breed. It better be, Melvin owes me ninety five bucks.

We put Melvin the foxhound outside during Thanksgiving dinner since he was sniffing like crazy at our delicious grown-up dishes. You see, a couple friends weren't meeting with their parents on Thanksgiving day this year so we had a real one at our place. Definitely a success (read: everyone was stuffed). However, towards the end of dinner our serenade from outside, compliments of Melvin, was oddly silent. Following the end of his leash line had me holding a harness with no dog inside. Big problem. Some guys took to the streets (and my neighbor's back yards) but Melvin wasn't too be found.

Actually, Melvin doesn't like to be found. He has gotten loose before and the last thing in his mind is getting back home. I saw him for a brief moment that night and called out anything I could try. "Stop." "Come here." "Wait." "Don't you take one more step!" "Please stop moving." Nothing worked; when Melvin knows he is free he does not want to get caught. Even the excitement of nine-player Nutzi could not lure him back.

The next morning we continued our search and thought we found a good lead on craigslist. I made contact with the poster who had found Melvin the night before, but her dog did not get along with him so she left Melvin go the next morning! Melvin's direction sense was no better with a good night's sleep : ) Jess, Hugh and I joined my family (and extended family!) for the next two nights and we called some animal shelters in the area. One got him on Saturday and we picked Melvin up on Monday. Thirty dollar finding fee and sixty five dollars for boarding. We're happy to have Melvin back, but play time's over, it's time to put this working breed to the test. It's nothing personal, it's just business.